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The Grand Narratives: The Rise And Fall Of Universal Philosophical Systems, Gavin S. Litchford

Senior Honors Theses

This thesis reviews the development of narrative and systematic methods of argumentative legitimation in the Western tradition of philosophy from its conception until the present day. Utilizing both primary sources from central figures in key movements within this development process and supplementary secondary sources, this analysis notes which systems were used as appeals to higher authority and the trends in the adoption and transformation of new models. It is demonstrated that the Enlightenment era punctuated a progression begun in the premodern era from simple, cultural narratives to individualized, subjective, and self-perpetuating Grand Narrative systems, and that it generated the preconditions …

Tiny Creatures, Big Lessons: Using Music Education And Ecoliteracy To Impact Young Learners' Perspectives On Bugs And Nature, Paige Burgess '25

Honor Scholar Theses

This thesis aims to demonstrate that relationships between students and nature can be improved through teaching young learners about music and bugs together, potentially leading to a greater overall love for and willingness to protect nature. The thesis features original teacher action research conducted over multiple weeks in a first grade classroom, with observations and data to support the efficacy of the methods discussed. This thesis analyzes literature that supports how increasing empathy toward bugs at a young age can have tangible benefits for the environment, how ecoliteracy as a framework is an effective means of teaching about nature, and …

How It Will End: Physical And Philosophical Implications Of The Fate Of Our Universe, Alex Bittle '26

Honor Scholar Theses

What does physics have to say about the end of our universe? And what does it mean for us, if anything? Answering these questions requires an understanding of the so-called "lambda-cold dark matter" (ΛCDM) model of cosmology, which models the universe as containing an expanding pressure, Λ or dark energy, in a battle with the gravitational attraction provided by dark and regular matter. First, the physics (including observations and theory) of the ΛCDM, including the Big Bang and CMB, the inflationary period, and equations that govern the way the size of the universe changes with respect to time for different …

Closing Remarks, Jay Yang

Value and Responsibility in AI Technologies

Closing remarks from director of Gonzaga's Institute for Informatics and Applied Technology, Dr. Jay Yang, with a reception to follow.

Manifesto Of An Arab Female, Diditta Rizk

Amplify: A Journal of Writing-as-Activism

In this manifesto, the author provides a window into her gendered experiences growing up female in the Middle East. In identifying the ways that women encounter obstacles to expressing their full agency in male-dominated societies, the author invites the reader to join her in redefining the narrative of what it is and means to be a woman. The manifesto ends with a call for us to become architects of a new perspective through which equity becomes reality, one where we strive collectively for peace, freedom, and the pursuit of the common good.

Translating Economics For Stem Minds: An Ai Socratic Tutor That Speaks Their Language, Andre Mccloud

IPHS 300: AI for Humanity

STEM students frequently struggle with economic thinking due to the particular framework of solving problems they acquire from their respective academic disciplines in undergraduate programs. This AI Socratic tutoring system is designed to detect and address discipline-specific misconceptions and gaps frequently holding students back in economics. Using Google’s Gemini Flash model, this tutor can give students hints and feedback and even reroute students thinking when they are confused. It does so by providing manageable explanations tailored to the individual student’s background across STEM fields like mathematics, physics, engineering, and other STEM fields. This system utilizes a customized Q&A bank pre-loaded …

Exploring Student Perceptions Of Faculty Messages: The Moderating Role Of Internationalized Status And Gender, Geoffrey Luurs, Ismail Karabas, Brittany Wood

Faculty & Staff Research and Creative Activity

Email is a tool used often for developing rapport between students and teachers. A professor’s email mistakes may affect the attributions students make about the professor’s competence and professionalism. This study used an experimental, between-subjects design to analyze the impact of professors’ typographical mistakes during initial email interactions and the moderating role of instructor demographics in those perceptions. The final sample consisted of 426 participants (64.6% female, 75.8% Caucasian) across eight universities representing five regions of the United States. The results of this study showed instructor’s email mistakes do lead to negative perceptions. Furthermore, it showed a professor’s internationalized status …

Food Insecurity In Latin America: Climate Change, Industrial Agriculture, And The Case For Regenerative Solutions, Leila Hernandez-Webster

CISLA Senior Integrative Projects

This study critically analyzes the nexus between climate change and food insecurity in Latin America, with a particular focus on Costa Rica’s agricultural sector. It interrogates how industrial agricultural practices, deforestation, and trade liberalization have contributed to environmental degradation and heightened socio-economic vulnerabilities, especially among smallholder farmers. Through the lens of political ecology, this research situates these dynamics within the broader context of neoliberal and neo-extractivist development paradigms, which have systematically eroded food sovereignty. This study also evaluates agro-ecological responses, particularly agroforestry, as viable strategies for promoting ecological resilience and socio-economic equity. In doing so, it underscores the imperative of …

Access To Augustana’S Ascension Chapel: Who Gets To Worship?, Jaycee C. Bythewood

Race, Ethnicity, & Religion

This poster seeks to educate readers about the challenges disabled students would face in attending a service in Augustana College’s Ascension Chapel and how inaccessible this actually is using maps crafted by the author with hand-gathered data.

Examining The Effect Of Climate Change Denialism In American Christianity On International Climate Policy, Hope Mcbride

Selected Honors Theses

While 53% of Americans say anthropogenic climate change is happening, only 32% of American evangelical Protestants share that belief (Alper). Key reasons for this gap include the values and political affiliations held by religious Americans. Historically, there have been dissenting opinions on the role of Christianity in global warming, but ultimately data have demonstrated that the opinions of American Christians can influence major global political decisions, such as President Trump’s executive order pulling the United States out of the keystone Paris Agreement.

2025- The Twenty-Ninth Annual Symposium Of Student Scholars

Symposium of Student Scholars Program Books

The full program book from the 29th Annual Symposium of Student Scholars, held on April 16-18, 2025. Includes abstracts from the presentations and posters.

We Are The Cemetery Of Talents: Amazigh Reality In The Anti Atlas, Morgan Lee

Morocco: Human Rights, Social Justice, and Cultural Transformation

This paper seeks to explore a dynamic in which the Amazigh people of the Anti-Atlas Mountains are forced to decide between stability and success at the expense of their cultural identity. The Imazighen are deeply prideful of their culture and history. But in Morocco, being Amazigh often comes with burdens that disproportionately encumber this culture when compared to general Moroccan society. I will discuss literature on linguistic dynamics with the Tamazight language, literature regarding Amazigh art, and Pan-Africanist literature in order to gain a well-rounded insight into the Amazigh situation. I will then synthesize this information, along with some of …

From Hope To Frustration: The Impacts Of The Withdrawal Of Usaid On Education And Development In Morocco, Kathryn Koss

Morocco: Human Rights, Social Justice, and Cultural Transformation

Following a series of executive orders administered by the Trump administration in January 2025, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID abruptly withdrew from Morocco, leaving an impact on education and development. Using qualitative methods, including six semi-structured interviews with USAID personnel, partners, and local NGOs, the study captures the personal, financial, and operational effects of this sudden cessation. The paper highlights how USAID's localized, inclusive approach had catalyzed significant educational initiatives and collaborative development models, many of which were disrupted or completely dismantled. Key findings reveal that the termination of USAID activities not only jeopardized active programming—such as …

Ethical Work Cultures & Ai, Andrew Brei

Presentations - 2025

With the help of moral theories, several case studies, and insights from the world of behavioral ethics, my project aims to provide engineering professionals with the means to deal properly with moral issues that commonly arise in their chosen fields.

Development And Evaluation Of The Da Vinci Ai Tutor: Enhancing Accessibility And Personalized Learning In Art History Education, James Hutson, Tiffani Barner

Faculty Scholarship

This study examines the implementation of the Da Vinci AI Tutor, an innovative artificial intelligence (AI)-based tutoring platform designed specifically for enhancing personalized and accessible learning in art history within higher education. Launched in Fall 2024 at a private liberal arts institution in the Midwest, the system integrates a conversational AI avatar modeled after Leonardo da Vinci, incorporating immersive virtual reality environments and multimodal interaction capabilities to engage students across undergraduate survey courses, advanced Renaissance classes, and graduate comprehensive exam preparations. Addressing significant gaps in existing humanities education research, the current study explores two primary research questions: (i) How AI-driven …

Building Bridges Of Knowledge, Cuny Innovative Teaching Academy (Cita)

Open Educational Resources

Building Bridge of Knowledge (BBK) is a CUNY-wide faculty fellowship project, aiming to help students use generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools ethically, responsibly, and effectively. Funded by Lumina Foundation in 2024-25, the project was executed by the CUNY Innovative Teaching Academy (CITA) of the Office of Faculty Affairs at CUNY Central Office, with 25 Faculty Fellows in five disciplinary areas (Education, Health, Humanities, Social Sciences, and STEM) chosen from across CUNY’s senior and community colleges. Each disciplinary cohort was led by a CUNY faculty member with expertise in the use of AI. The final materials, described and linked in this …

Carnegie Foundation For The Advancement Of Teaching: Elective Classification For Community Engagement 2026 Re-Classification, Andrew Sexton

Morehead State College Histories

A report published by the Morehead State University Carnegie Committee that applied for reclassification by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching for the campus' community engagement program in 2025.

Exophonic Literature: Why And How Authors Write In A Second Language, Jonathan M. Bost

Senior Honors Theses

Milan Kundera, Julio Cortázar, Joseph Conrad, Rigoberta Menchú, and James Joyce are just some of the multitudinous authors who wrote in languages that are not their mother tongue. This phenomenon is called “exophony,” and it is more common than many would expect. There are various reasons why authors write exophonic literature: James Joyce wrote to a friend that he was at the end of English (1957), and Menchú’s editor Elizabeth Burgos-Debray claims Menchú wrote in Spanish to use the language of her oppressors against them. This thesis will investigate case studies of various exophonic authors, relate advice such authors have …

Black Mothering And Environmental Justice Activism: A Black Ecofeminist Framework, Kayla N. Miller , '25

Senior Theses, Projects, and Awards

No abstract provided.

Anti-Feminisms, Authoritarianism, And Digital Culture: A Pedagogy Project, Charlie Ambrose

Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies M.A. Final Projects

This project began, broadly, with my exposure to TikTok’s tradwives—a subset of content creators and influencers who advocate traditional gender roles as women, homemakers, wives, and mothers, with a particular focus on moral and religious beliefs and aesthetic practices of “womanhood.” To me, tradwives encapsulated the internet’s capacity to weaponize subtly: slow-paced, pastel videos, gentle music, and even gentler voices delivering increasingly extreme ideas about masculine and feminine roles, Christian nationalism, and white supremacy. But other threads began to appear as I delved deeper into the world of tradwives. I noticed the men’s rights groups who praised tradwives while openly …

Alvar Aalto: Past. Present.Future, Matthew Collins

Interior Design Capstones

Alvar Aalto serves as a timeless guide for architectural and design principles. These principles are not of universal rigidness but are flexible based on the givenconditions of site, culture, and people. His traditionalmethods of sketching and drawing create a hand to mind connection to the design process. This process, much like his work, develops a mindful and thoughtful outcome of decisions. With computer technology become more increasingly apart of our lives, it is important that we not forget the human point of view rather than purely a rational mode of thinking. This capstone project address how it is possible to …

Perspectives On Gaming Throughout The Years, Noh Fekre

ART 108: Introduction to Games Studies

Video games are a lot younger of an art form compared to other mediums like books or movies which means how they fit into our culture isn’t really set in stone yet. They have existed for a while but got their first big boom through arcades and home consoles. I want to look at how video games present themselves differently to other mediums and how that might have affected their perception amongst the general populace while also looking at how that perception has changed over time due to how games have changed themselves.

When The Audience Takes The Controller: How Streaming Is Changing The Way We Play Games, Lea Wilhelmer

ART 108: Introduction to Games Studies

For decades, video games have been understood as solitary experiences. A player would sit alone or with a small group, controller in hand, navigating digital worlds where every action, decision, and outcome was shaped by their own input. At its core, gaming was personal. The lines between the audience and player were clearly drawn. The player was the one actively involved in the game, while everyone else was an observer, watching from the sidelines. This traditional model has seen significant transformation in the last decade, as the rise of streaming platforms like Twitch, YouTube Gaming, and other similar services radically …

Redefining Fun: How Realism And Effort Engage Players In Video Games, Marsel Abdullin

ART 108: Introduction to Games Studies

In the current era of video game development, the gaming industry frequently pursues instant gratification, creating a landscape for immediate and empowering rewards. Current trends clearly show that experiences allow players to become superhuman or extraordinary beings with very little difficulty, satisfying a common desire for escapism and power. This suggests that “fun” is commonly associated with ease, speed, and constant positive feedback. However, my counter-argument is the emergence of games such as Kingdom Come: Deliverance and Red Dead Redemption 2. These games operate with a different game design and philosophy. In fact, they embrace slowness, hardship, and the detailed …

The Evolution Of Video Game Collectibles And Marketplaces, Leland Lee

ART 108: Introduction to Games Studies

Digital Collectibles such as weapon skins, avatar skins, emotes, and in-game art were created as a playful surprise for the video game experience. Many years later, it has produced a multibillion-dollar economy in the gaming industry and is also responsible for the high demand for intriguing in-game collectibles. Although these cosmetic features were initially meant for looks, they have evolved into something of actual value that has completely changed the landscape of games and how they are played. As a result, this has created an intricate environment where players are able to buy, trade, and sell in-game collectibles in both …

Nothing Is Off Limits, But Not Everything Is Done Right: Exploring Ineffability, Alejandro Maciel

ART 108: Introduction to Games Studies

Games are capable of addressing absolutely anything. No topic is too big, too controversial, or too emotional. but not everything is done well; the problem isn't the subject, it's always the delivery. When the developers approach heavy topics without care, they risk doing harm. bwhen they do their research and consult communities and write with purpose, the result can be transformative. Representation, when handled with attention, isn't political correctness; it's simply good storytelling. it's how games become more than entertainment. They become tools for empathy, education, and more valuable connections

The Cost Of Creative Freedom: Comparing Aaa And Indie Game Development, Andrei Morgunov

ART 108: Introduction to Games Studies

The independent development model provides developers with creative freedom and personal fulfillment because it enables them to learn through hands-on experience while creating distinctive experiences and developing diverse skills. It provides them with both long-term ownership of their work and the chance to achieve remarkable success through their own efforts while allowing them to maintain direct communication with players who appreciate their creative output. The choice between AAA and indie depends on individual career goals, but developers who view games as more than just products of entertainment can find greater meaning in the indie path, Long-term triple-A developers who want …

Formas, Figuras Y Espacios: Los Fundamentos De La(S) Geometría(S), Melisa Vivanco

Philosophy Faculty Publications

The discussion regarding the origins of geometry examines the fundamental aspects and inception of geometry, drawing from the disciplines of cognitive science, mathematics, and philosophy. With a collection of 14 articles, various authors contribute historical, scientific, and mathematical perspectives, providing a thorough understanding of the principles and application of geometry. This critical essay offers a review and analysis, as well as detailed scrutiny, presenting both support and counterarguments to each of these theories.

The Influence Of Institutional Barriers And Personality On Gendered Occupational Choice, Mia Sideris

Richard T. Schellhase Essay Prize in Ethics

Men hold a disproportionate share of high-paying jobs, leading to an uneven distribution within the workforce. Possible rationalizations behind the formation of the occupational gap can be narrowed down to two factors: institutional barriers and personality differences. Accounts of prestigious organizations intentionally underrepresenting women in academic spheres, in addition to the persistence of societal norms can explain the observed distribution. Other perspectives insist that sex determines one’s behavior in selecting a life-long occupation, where a woman’s instinct to nurture and develop interpersonal connections leads them to choose fields that necessitate these characteristics. Compiling data from mainstream companies like Apple who …